bee bee-hives



G. F. HIXSON.

1mprovementn BeejHives.

Patented Sep. 24,1872.

urzntnr 131,613. BEE-HIVES. A George F. Hixson,

.Gallipolis, Ohio.

To all whom it may con-corn:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. HIXSON, of Gallipolis, in the county of Gallia-and State of Oli-i0, have invented a new and Improved Bee-Hive, ot' which the followingis a specification:

My invention comprises a peculiar construction and arrangement of the strips composing two of the sides ot' the hive with a view to facilitating opening ot' the oase to examine the condition of the bees and comb, and to obviating the necessity for the use of other or separate means for preserving the proper spa-ces between the comb-frames. It also consists of a. peculiar construction ofthe hive to adapt it for utilizing the animal heat ot' the bees for warming the honey-boxes, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved hive taken on the line a: x of Fig 2; Fig. 2 is a sectional eleva-tion taken on the line 3/ y of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section.

Similar' letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the foundation and B the oor of the hive, which is inclined from the center upward in two directions at forty-live degrees, or thereabout. U represents the two sides of the case rising from the highest parts of the floor. These have each a large openingr at 1), closed by a removable door, E. The other two sides are composed of the narrow vertical boards F, all being detachable except the middle ones, each heilig as wide as the dista-nee from center to center of the comb-frames G, and provided with a rib, H, on the inside, which tits in the space between two of the said frames, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, to

(il- SPECIFICATIOBS OF PATENTS-SEPTEMBER 24, 1872 make the sides suiliciently tight while allow ing of the use of these narrow detachabl boards for the side walls, which are employe: for being removed, one at a time, to inspee the condition of the bees,and to afford acces to the spaces between the combs for prying them straight in case they are found notto b' so. The removal of so small a portion of th sides will not so materially disturb the bee; as the taking olf the whole of a side will, whicl is necessary as the hives are commonly con structed., The sides are held together by thi bars I and the cap J, the latter being madi large enough to drop down outside of the side: a short distance at the top, as shown in Figs 1 and 2, and the latter hooking around thi corners of the sides O, as shown in Fig. 3, an( resting at the ends on the pieces K attache( to said sides. The pieces F are still furthei secured in place bythe thin metal plates I let into slots in the upper ends of the sait pieces, and extending from one to the othex so as to bind them all together. The comb frames have the bottom pieces M and the tol: pieces N constructed on the same angle as thai ofthe floor, as shown in Fig. 1; and they ar( supported a little above the floor, to allow the bees to pass under them, by little stud-pins 0; and they are also separated from each othei at the lower ends by other stud-pins, l. A(

the upper ends they are separated by the slanting honey-board Q, which, like the tloor, is arranged iu two parts, inclined to the horizon and at right angles to each other, the object of which is to receive the square honey-box l within the space occupied by the bees, in the manner shown in Fig. 1, to be warmed by the natural heat of the bees, so that honey-boxes may be used in cold weather. Access is afforded to the honey-box for the bees from be low through the holes S. Said holes may be closed at any time by thin plates T, of glass or any other substance, placed between the honey-box and the board Q.

Good results may be had with hives having only one side made of the detachable boards E; but I prefer to construct two of them in this way; and all the said boards of a side may be detachable, if preferred.

Having thus'described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent- 1. In a bee-hive, the longitudinal removable strips F, provided with central ribs H, in combination with the comb-frames G, as speeifed, said strips thus forming both the side of the hive and supports or spaces for the frames.

2. The frames Gr and honey-box, arranged as shown and described, to increase the effect of the heat iu the box, as set forth.

` SAMUEL H. BROWN, CHARLES STUART. 

